Ski and boot relative torque indicators



Dec. 14, 1965 P. ISAAC 3,222,922

SKI AND BOOT RELATIVE TORQUE INDICATORS Filed June 12, 1961 3Sheets-Sheet 1 HIS ATTORNEY Dec. 14, 1965 P. ISAAC SKI AND BOOT RELATIVETORQUE INDICATORS Filed June 12, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR PETERSAAC HIS ATTORNEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Dec. 14, 1965 P. ISAAC SKI AND BOOTRELATIVE TORQUE INDICATORS Filed June 12, 1961 Q i x sk Q m\ R UnitedStates Patent Filed June 12, 1961, Ser. No. 116,476

8 Claims. (Cl. 73-133) The present invention comprises a device formeasuring or gauging the tolerable torque between a boot and a ski bothin terms of horizontal twisting motion about the heel of the boot, andvertical rotary motion about the toe of the boot, tending to separatethe boot from the ski at the heel thereof.

It is well recognized that many skiing accidents are due to a ski beingfastened too rigidly to the associated boot. Hence, ski harness ofvarious designs has included arrangements foradjusting the resistance toseparation under stress between a ski and a boot in the two directionsaforesaid. However, as far as has been ascertained, no invention hasbeen designed for measuring the torque required to separate a boot froma ski responsive to tightening variations applied to the associatedharness whereby it is possible to effect release of the boot from theski at any preselected torque such as it is possible to do with thepresent invention.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a device of thecharacter herewithin described which will foster the establishment of atolerable torque standard for various persons of different weights andage either by the medical profession or responsible ski association orinstitute, to the end that skiers may use the present invention inassociation with such standard, and set their harness to release theboot from the ski according to standard data for their type, and hencereduce the incidence of injuries both as to quantity and severity.

The present invention has further applications such as in the making ofequal (or measurably different) settings for both skis, and detectingthe malfunctioning of harness, to mention just two of the uses whichwould be recognized readily by persons of skiing experience. Inaddition, the invention in all the three embodiments herein exemplified,is conspicuously simple to manufacture, assemble and use, being alsocapable of sale at a reasonable price, and free of any requirement suchas replacement parts, servicing or the like.

With the foregoing objects in view, and such others as may becomeapparent as this specification proceeds, the present invention consistsof the following arrangement and construction of parts all ashereinafter more particularly described, reference being made to theaccompanying figures in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective representation of a simple and preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a plan representation of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 in situand in plan, showing the said device as applicable to measuring torqueat the toe of a ski boot in a plane parallel to that of the ski.

FIGURE 3 is a view similar to FIGURE 2 but at right angles thereto andintended to indicate the manner of use of the embodiment of FIGURE 1 asapplied to measure vertical stress between the heel of a ski boot andthe ski.

FIGURE 4 is a detail on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a plan representation of an alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIGURE 6 is an elevational representation of the embodiment of FIGURE 5depicting the use of same as applied to the heel of a boot.

FIGURE 7 is a front elevation of a further embodiment of the presentinvention as primarily designed for use in sports stores where skiingequipment is sold, and at skiing resorts where maintenance, renting andthe like facilities are maintained, this figure illustrating the mannerin which horizontal torque is applied against the toe of a boot.

FIGURE 8 is a representation of the modification of the inventiondepicted in FIGURE 7 but illustrating the manner of use thereof asapplied against the heel of a ski boot.

FIGURE 9 is a view on the line 99 of FIGURE 7.

In the drawings like characters of reference designate similar parts inthe several figures.

Describing first the embodiment of the accompanying FIGURES 1 through 4,it will be seen that what is there represented comprises a hollowcylindrical bearing portion 1 to the upper end portion of which isaffixed load moving means collectively designated 2, and, at rightangles thereto effort applying means collectively designated 3. Alsoprojecting from member 1 is a pointer 4 constituting part of indicatingmeans collectively designated 5. R0- tatably secured to the lower end ofmember 1 by means of the keyed stub-shaft 6, are device setting meanscollectively designated 7, the same, in this embodiment taking the formof a ski traversing stirrup provided with an upwardly projectingshoulder 8 designed to bear against the edge 9 of a ski 10, while theportion 10' extends across and beneath the ski as clearly depicted inthe accompanying FIGURE 2.

Load moving means 2, and effort applying means 3-, in addition to beingrigidly secured to the upper end of member 1 are preferably inright-angular relationship. Considered in detail, means 2 constitute alever conformed at the distal end 11 thereof in the manner most clearlydepicted in the accompanying FIGURE 1; that is to say is bifurcated toreceive the swingable heel-lift component 12 journalled at thebifurcated end by means of the lug and stub-shaft details 13 and 14respectively.

Effort applying means 3 embody a shaft 15 which is flexible under stressbeing secured in a short sleeve or collar 16 integral with member 1.Upon the end of shaft 15 is a handle 17 for convenient manual operationof the present device, but interposed between shaft 15 and handle 17 isa scale block 18 constituting part of indicating means 5. Scale block 18is most clearly depicted in the accompanying FIGURE 4 from which it willbe observed that the actual reading scale 19 thereon is slightlyadjustable laterally by virtue of the provision of countersunk bolts 20engageable with internally screwthreaded sockets 21 projecting from therear side of plate 19 into cavities 22. These cavities, together withthe apertures 23 within which bolts 20 are received, provide a tolerancefor the said bolt and socket assemblies. In this way indicating needle 4can be accurately zeroed.

The accompanying FIGURES 2 and 3 indicate sufficiently the manner inwhich the first embodiment of the present invention is employed fortesting the tolerable torque between a boot and a ski, at the toe and atthe heel of the latter respectively. There are many different forms ofski harness collectively designated 24 but all operate to the same endwhich is to maintain a rigid connection between boot and ski, whichconnection is only intended to be broken when excessive stress isapplied between boot and ski either in parallel horizontal planes asindicated by arrow 25 of FIGURE 2, or in right-angularly related planesas indicated by arrow 26 of FIGURE 3.

One manner in which the toe 27 of a boot 28 is secured to ski 10 againsthorizontal rotation is conventionally designated at 29. The arcuatetoe-bearing plate 30 exerts pressure against the front end of the sole31 of boot 28. It swings about pivot point 32 via plate 33. Detail 34including the adjustable screw 35 constitutes means whereby, uponrotation of the latter, varying resistance to yielding, of the toe-plate30 may be achieved.

In light of the last foregoing explanation, it will now be apparent thatin order to gauge the stress in pounds at which plate 30 should yield,load moving means 2 are caused to lie against the sole 31 of boot 28 inthe toe region thereof while setting means 7 under-span the ski asaforesaid. At this point it will be observed that the distal end 11 ofmeans 2 is slightly stepped-back at 36 in order the more conveniently toaccommodate the toe portion of sole 31 at the corner thereof. Heel piece12 is swung out of position for horizontal torque testing. If now aneffort be applied to handle 17 in the direction of arrow 37, it will beapparent that shaft 15 will deflect while needle 4 remains straight,portion 8 acting as the fulcrum of a lever system in the toe testingposition while the lever constituting the principal component of loadmoving means 2 bears clockwise against the edge of the boot sole in themanner by now clearly apparent.

To operate the first embodiment of the present invention with respect tothe heel 38 of boot 28, setting means 7 are swung out of use. Thentoe-piece 12 is inserted between heel 38 and the ski. Now handle 17 isurged counter clockwise as indicated by arrow 39. Thus in this use ofthe device, member 1 functions as the fulcrum, and when suflicientstress is applied to handle 17, boot 28 obviously yields upwardly at theheel, and about the toe portion so that the heel clamping portion 40 ofany conventional harness 24 may be adjusted to yield at the requisitestress attainment measured in pounds on scale 19.

In the econd embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in theaccompanying FIGURES and 6 there is shown load moving means collectivelydesignated 41 in the form of a rectangular, double angulated bracket 42having an underplate 43 intended to be inserted between sole and ski, anintermediate vertical portion 44 which bears against the edge of thesole, and an upper flange 45 to which is secured a toe-cap overspanningportion 46 connectible by means of ring 47 to indicating meanscollectively designated 48 and taking the form of a slotted andspring-loaded barrel 49 suitably scaled as at 50 and terminating in apulling handle 51, it being understood that pointer 52 is suitablyconnected to a spring within barrel 49 so that upon the application oftension to handle 51, relative movement takes place between pointer 52and slot 53.

In the use of this embodiment for testing heel stress, there issubstituted for the toe-cap overspanning portion 46, a species of clevis54 taking the form of U-shaped portion 55 designed to extend downwardlyon either side of the rear portion 56 of boot 28, being of courseengageable with ring 47 as shown, and terminating at the base in theangular heel lift 57 insertable between boot heel and ski, being securedto the lower ends of the U-shaped portion 55.

Obviously upon the application of an upward effort, parting stress atthe heel of a boot may be accurately measured with respect to theassociated ski.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying FIGURES 7 through 9there is depicted a third variation of the inventive concept disclosedin the present application. In this embodiment a mounting structurecollectively designated 58 is usable horizontally as in FIG- URE 7 orvertically as in FIGURE 8. Such mounting structure comprises anelongated plate terminating at one end in an upstanding projectingportion 59 which, in horizontal stress measurement functions as afulcrum like detail 8 of FIGURE 1, but in vertical use functions as afoot for supporting the mounting structure, rotatable extensions 59'being provided to stabilize this embodiment against overturning as bestillustrated in FIG- URES 8 and 9. At the opposite end of mountingstructure 58 is a right-angularly related bearing plate 60 havingjournalled therewithin a keyed, rotatable, internally screw-threadedbushing 61 projecting from which is a handle 62.

Mounting structure 58 also includes at the left end thereof with respectto the accompanying FIGURE 7, what is designated in one or more of theclaims appended hereto as a load supporting stirrup 63 when suchstructure is employed for measuring torque in horizontal planes.Sustained upon the mounting structure and to the right of the portion 63is a load moving assembly collectively designated 64 including an endcomponent collectively designated 65 engageable selectively eitheragainst the edge 66 of the sole 67 of boot 28 in the toe region thereof,or between said boot and ski 10 in the heel region. Such end componentcomprises the upstanding fish plate 66 and bearing plate 67 secured atright angles thereto for lifting the heel of boot 28. From theaccompanying FIGURE 8 it is apparent that both the projecting endportion 68 of plate 67 and the pair of extensions 59 are insertablebetween boot-sole and ski as aforesaid.

The effort applying means in this third embodiment are collectivelydesignated 69 and may be said to constitute the shaft 70 splined andkeyed as at 71 upon support 72 against rotation, the opposite end ofsuch shaft being screw-threaded as at 73 for endwise movement under therotary influence of bushing 61.

Load moving assembly 64 also carries at the opposite end thereof to thatto which end component 65 is secured, a collar 74 through which shaft 70extends. Projecting from this collar is a pointer 75 constituting partof indicating means for measuring stress, collectively designated 76 andincluding the double angulated bracket 77, which in turn comprises ascaled bar portion 78, and end supports 79 and 80 the lower ends ofwhich encircle, and are keyed against end shifting movement to, shaft70.

The portion 81 of shaft 70 which is encircled by collar 74 is of greaterdiameter than the remainder of the shaft. It will also be observed thatsecondary collars 82 and 83 encircle shaft 70 on either side of portion81. Between these secondary collars and the shaft encircling collarportions 84 and 85 of parts 79 and 80 are springs 86 and 87.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that, in relation to theaccompanying FIGURE 7, rotation of handle 62 clockwise from the positionin which portion 81 is centered with respect to collar 74, shaft 70, inmoving leftwardly causes compression of spring 86 (in virtue of thekeyed portion 84 which is the agency causing such compression againstcollar 83). Scale bar 78 obviously also moves leftwardly from the Zeropoint 88 and hence the amount of pressure required to cause boot 28 toswivel about the heel thereof under the influence of portion 67 canconveniently be measured.

When the third embodiment of the present invention now being describedis employed in the vertical position of the accompanying FIGURE 8 tolift heel 33, it will be apparent that handle 62 is to be rotatedcounter clockwise. By rotation in such direction spring 87 is compressedunder the influence of the keyed shaft encircling sleeve portion 85. Atthe same time a scale bar 76' travels in the opposite direction. Henceit is to be understood that both in the first and third embodiments ofthe present invention, the markings on either side of the zero point 88stand for the same amount of stress in one direction as the other.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A device for measuring the torque between a boot and a ski comprisingin combination load moving means in the form of a load bearing arm oneend of which is bearable against said boot, device setting meansconnected to and co-acting with said load moving means for positioningand holding said device against said ski, an effort applying resilientarm, a rigid indicator r-od, said load bearing arm and said resilientarm being fixed immovably relative to each other in angular relationshipat one end of each, the end at which said load bearing arm is fixedbeing opposite to that which is bearable against said boot, saidindicator 'rod being fixed immovably relative to said load moving meansto the junction of said two arms to lie parallel with said resilientarm, and a measuring scale adjacent said rod whereon the extent ofdeflection of said resilient arm relative to said rod may be read.

2. The device according to claim 1 in which said load bearing arm is atwo-part arm, said two parts being pivotally and serially connected, onepart being connected to said resilient arm, and constituting the mainportion, and the other a distal, heel lifting portion, said heel liftingportion being rotatable between an angular, out-ofuse relationship withrespect to said main portion, and a heel lifting, in-line relationship.

3. The device according to claim 1 wherein the junction of said armsconstitute a load bearing fulcrum, and in which said device settingmeans constitute an additional fulcrum in the form of a ski transversingstirrup rotatably attached to said junction in a plane parallel to butspaced from that of said load bearing arm and bearable against said ski,whereby said load bearing arm may be caused to bear against the edge ofthe sole of said boot in the toe region thereof upon the application ofa rotary force upon said efi-ort applying arm.

4. A device for indicating the torque between a boot and a ski harnessedthereto comprising in combination, load moving means applicable againstsaid boot for rotating said boot relative to said ski about the heel ofsaid boot in a horizontal plane or about the toe of said boot in avertical plane, effort applying and amplifying means for exerting aforce upon said load moving means, a mounting structure one end of whichconstitutes device setting means which embodies a transverselyskispauning load supporting stirrup when the device is used forindicating torque horizontally about said heel and embodies a loadsupporting foot when said device is used to indicate torque verticallyabout said toe of said boot, said load moving means being in the form ofa load moving assembly slidably sustained upon said mounting structure,being engageable selectively against the edge of the sole of said bootin the toe region thereof or between said boot and ski in the heelregion of the former, said effort applying and amplifying means beingconnected to said load moving assembly and taking the form of abalanced, spring-loaded, screw-threaded shaft with means for r-otatablyend shifting said shaft, and means for indicating said torque embodyingan indicating scale assembly on said shaft and said load movingassembly.

5. A device indicating the torque between a boot and a ski harnessedthereto, at least including, in combination, load moving meansapplicable against said boot for rotating said boot relative to saidski, device setting means for positioning and holding said deviceagainst said ski during application of said load moving means, effortapplying and amplifying means for exerting torque upon said load movingmeans, and means for indicating said torque.

6. The device according to claim 5 in which said device setting meansspan said ski transversely therebeneath, and are adapted and arranged tobear against an edge of said ski.

7. The device of claim 5 in which said load moving means are pivotallyconnected to said device setting means, to exert a rotary effort whensaid load moving means are applied against the toe of said boot.

8. A device for indicating the torque between a boot and a ski harnessedthereto about the toe of said boot, at least including, in combination,load moving means applicable between the heel of said boot and said ski,said load moving means exerting a vertical rotary levering effort, thefulcrum of which bears against the upper surface of said ski or on anobject near said ski, efi'ort applying and amplifying means for applyinga load to said boot through the agency of said load moving means, saidefiort applying and amplifying means comprising a resilient arm which isattached to said load moving means in an angular relationship thereto,and means for indicating said torque comprising a rigid indicator rodand a scale, said indicator rod being attached to said load moving meanssuch that it is parallel to said arm, said scale being attached to saideffort applying and amplifying means and being movable past the distalend of said indicator rod when said efifort applying and amplifyingmeans are actuated.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 836,752 11/ 1906Greg 73-141 1,141,562 6/1915 Law 73141 1,637,421 8/ 1927 Lipschutz 73811,673,513 6/1928 Jacquot 73-81 X 1,958,326 5/ 1934 Whitton et al. 73-1452,363,347 11/1944 Mars 731 2,518,408 8/ 1950 Weyand 73--161 2,667,781 2/1954 Barrett 73-101 2,698,757 1/1955 Berlenbach 280-1135 FOREIGN PATENTS3 14,925 10/ 1919 Germany.

RICHARD C. QUEISSER, Primary Examiner.

ROBERT L. EVANS, DAVID SCHONBERG,

Examiners.

1. A DEVICE FOR MEASURING THE TORQUE BETWEEN A BOOT AND A SKI COMPRISINGIN COMBINATION LOAD MOVING MEANS IN THE FORM OF A LOAD BEARING ARM ONEEND OF WHICH IS BEARABLE AGAINST SAID BOOT, DEVICE SETTING MEANSCONNECTED TO AND CO-ACTING WITH SAID LOAD MOVING MEANS FOR POSITIONINGAND HOLDING SAID DEVICE AGAINST SAID SKI, AN EFFORT APPLYING RESILIENTARM, A RIGID INDICATOR ROD, SAID LOAD BEARING ARM AND SAID RESILIENT ARMBEING FIXED IMMOVABLY RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER IN ANGULAR RELATIONSHIP ATONE END OF EACH, THE END AT WHICH SAID LOAD BEARING ARM IS FIXED BEINGOPPOSITE TO THAT WHICH IS BEARABLE AGAINST SAID BOOT, SAID INDICATOR RODBEING FIXED IMMOVABLY RELATIVE TO SAID LOAD MOVING MEANS TO THE JUNCTIONOF SAID TWO ARMS TO LIE PARALLEL WITH SAID RESILIENT ARM, AND AMEASURING SCALE ADJACENT SAID ROD WHEREON THE EXTEND OF DEFLECTION OFSAID RESILIENT ARM RELATIVE TO SAID ROD MAY BE READ.